There is no disputing that we are currently facing a crisis in mental health care. Even before the coronavirus crisis, there simply weren't enough psychologists, psychiatrists, and other health professionals for people in need.
Nearly one person in five suffers from some form of mental or substance abuse disorder and the cost to society, including reduced productivity, death rates, and medical disability expenses, are a major drain on health care systems across the U.S. But, despite thus rising need for mental health services, the actual number of health professionals providing these services is barely holding steady. According to a 2019 report released by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the supply of workers in selected behavioral health professions will be approximately 250,000 workers short of the projected demand in 2025. And a 2017 report from the physician search firm Merritt Hawkins titled, "Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives" indicates that psychiatrists will be in particularly short supply.
To read more, check out my new Psychology Today blog post.
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